The total output of agriculture calculated at basic prices was 2265 billion forints in 2013, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to the previous year, the Minister of State for Agricultural Economy said at the opening of the 29th International Farmers Days trade fair in Bábolna, northwest Hungary.
György Czerván added that the costs and expenses of agricultural production increased at a lower level than agricultural output, resulting in an improvement in the profitability of production. The net income realised by enterprises involved in agricultural activities was 13.2 percent higher last year than in 2012.
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In recent years, agriculture has contributed significantly to economic growth. Gross added value for the sector increased by 22 percent in 2013, which was a decisive factor in helping to realise the 1.1 percent growth in GDP. The increase in investments signals long-term development within the sector, the Minister of State pointed out.
Investments within the sector increased to 259 billion forints (EUR 820 million) in 2013, an increase in volume of 9.1 percent. Continuing the growing trends of previous years, agricultural exports totalled 8093 million euros in 2013, a further increase of 18 million euros or 0.2 percent on the previous year’s record, he added. The role of agriculture within the foreign trade processes of the national economy remains determinative, with agricultural exports and agro-imports achieving a respective 9.9 percent and 6.0 share in 2013. Agriculture’s export-import balance contributed 51 percent to the national economy’s export-import balance in 2013.
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Mr. Czerván also stated that the country’s horse stocks had increase by some ten percent over the course of a single year. Of the various types of funding available to the equestrian sector, gross funding for breeding increased in both 2012 and 2013, while payments for 2014 are already being disbursed and the Ministry will be requesting a 960 million forint (EUR 3 million) increase in the 2015 budget from Parliament. National stables have fallen under single management within the framework of the Kincsem National Equestrian Programme, in addition to which facility development projects have begun and the Forestry Act has been amended in the interest of allowing forests to be used for equestrian activities, he explained. The Programme also includes the future development of the sector’s training system, supervisory authority institution system and IT records, the Minister of State added.
The Bábolna International Farmers Days is the country’s oldest agricultural trade fair, with 160 enterprises on show on over 260 thousand square metres this year, including several field demonstrations of agricultural machinery and a professional forum organised by the Hungarian Association of Cereal Producers and the National Chamber of Agricultural Economy. The Bábolna National Stud, which celebrates its 225th anniversary this year, is awaiting visitors from Wednesday to Saturday with various equestrian programs and a museum tour featuring famous racehorses from history.
(Ministry of Agriculture)
